May 4, 2010
Hi Ho Hi Ho
It’s off to work I go. Just getting ready to go into solitary confinement. Nervous. Excited. I really can’t wait to see what happens.
Here’s a list of words or phrases people Google and end up at my site: Midget Camel Toe, Scat Fan Club, Rape Fan Club, Whistle With A Fan In It. Amongst others.
So, the travel thingy I’ve been writing for is up. I’ll be providing most of the Vancouver content. It’s a really fun job and I get to work with one of my favourite editors again (formerly of Vice.) Yah! Seriously. She knows exactly how to push me. It’s really really satisfying. My voice is quite different for this gig…a bit more mature and a lot less cynical, but I love the challenge and I’m really grateful for this gig.
What else? Oh, I did the Proof for Vancouver is Awesome. Take a creep inside my world…
Oh yeah, I took part in this study at UBC. It was about yoga and well being. There was a part where they put me in a so-called stressful situation and tested my stress levels. I can’t talk about what the stressful situation was, because I don’t want to sway the study, but it was doing a task that I’m generally not good at, in a short amount of time. I remember thinking, oh fuck, all I can do is my best but I’m not going to get too worked up about it. And in turn, I failed miserably at the task. The lady conducting the study said my stress levels were completely unchanged throughout the whole two hour study, which is apparently unheard of. So I started to think maybe my new life outlook should be: oh fuck, all I can do is my best but I’m not going to get too worked up about it. In this case I was doing my best at a task I cared very little about…but what if I applied that to the rest of my life? I guess we’ll see what happens. Hopefully good stuff.
Oh, I got a new computer. It’s fancy. Here’s a generic photo booth photo I took with the comic setting: 
I feel like this will help me get a fresh start with my writing. Here’s hoping.
April 30, 2010
Recommended Reading
I found this book at my trainer’s studio and immediately told him I was going to borrow it. I’ve been thinking about the subject of soul mates a lot lately (yeah, I’m kind of new agey that way, don’t judge) so it seemed universe-y that I’d come across something like this. Plus who could resist that cover? I started reading it last night and realized quickly that the author is a total kook…which made it an even more compelling read. I couldn’t even begin to tell you what it’s about. It left me with more questions than answers – all of which were about the author.
Who is this man? And how did he find the money to publish a book? What the fuck is he talking about? Here’s a bit of his bio…
The author, Russ Michael, decided very early in his teens to master life…especially in sports.
And here’s the first paragraph…
The fact that I found three soul-mates in this life-time, the latter of them my twin-soul (I now enjoy her ecstatic company), ought to add much value to this message. If I can do it, you can do it too!
Anyhow, I’ll take it as a good omen. If this man can get a book published, then so can I. If all goes according to plan, I’m going to start writing my book next week. It’s been a while coming. I started writing it a year ago but stopped as structure and discipline are two things I am very bad at figuring out. Plus my idea has changed a few times and I got discouraged. But I have an opportunity to go to a beautiful space with very few distractions and I’m going to see what happens. I’ve never tried this technique – solitary confinement – as a way of getting the creative juices brewing, so it can either work or not work. I could end up napping all day or staring at the ceiling (two things I do a lot when I’m not in solitary confinement) but I have a good feeling about things. If you have any tips on ways to motivate or inspire me to write, please send them my way. Wish me luck!
April 21, 2010
Being a tourist in a high class world
So I feel compelled to write about last night because I got to experience a world that is all very new to me. And I loved every second of it.
Every year, Dine Out Vancouver hosts the media for a night of eating, as a preview to the actual event. They put you in groups and shuttle you around to two different restaurants that are taking part in the two-week dining extravaganza. The restaurants serve you sample meals of what will be on the menu.
Tourism Vancouver put us in a party bus, which was incredible and nostalgic, for several reasons:
1) I feel like I’ve watched too many episodes of Top Model to know exactly what the inside of those buses look like.
2) It reminded me of the last time I was in a limo, which was when I was 15. I was celebrating the end of this contract at this horrible camp. Clearly, the only way to really celebrate something when you’re 15 is to hire a limo. We hung out the window and whoo-hooed our little heads off, which inevitably led to us being pulled over by the cops. Not so badass and high end as we were hoping to appear.
The first restaurant I got to go to, with my lovely group of fellow journalists and media types, was Au Petit Chavignol. It’s a cheese-based eatery that was exceptional. Some standouts:
1) The mac & cheese with bacon bits in it. Holy shit. Why didn’t I ever think of this obvious and perfect pairing?
2) The ridiculously handsome and well-dressed waiter. I wasn’t sure if I should flirt with him or if that would be completely unprofessional. So I was professional. What’s the etiquette on that? Seriously, get in touch because I want to know. (Or if you’re that waiter, seriously, get in touch.)
3) The hot chocolate cookies they give you at the end of the meal in a paper bag.
Next we went to Water St. Cafe, which is apparently one of the oldest restaurants in Vancouver. I was so stuffed at that point, I could barely get through my appy. Luckily, they gave us a doggy bag! Can’t wait to re-experience the magic tonight.
Then they vengabussed us back to the Fairmont Pacific Rim, which is by far the fanciest hotel this relatively green travel writer has ever seen. How often do you get to see this kind of view?
We got to hang out in the presidential suite. I think the bathroom was the highlight of the whole night for me…
This photo incorporates two of my favourites things: baths and views.
There was even a TV in there!
Bob from Vancouver Is Awesome was bummed you couldn’t see the TV from the toilet.
This stool (teehee) slash art piece was in there too. In case you wanted to perch before you unloaded.
Another highlight was having a brief but solid chat with Coleen Christie of CTV. She made me feel really great about some recent life choices I’ve made.
Anyhow, it was fun.
I’m currently celebrating 420 by listening to my most favourite of stoner bands, Black Mountain. Local boys and girl …go figure.
April 19, 2010
Inspiration (Bored.)
So my writing partner/dear friend Ayma went to Mexico recently and brought me back the above: a rape whistle shaped like Jesus on the cross. On the back it says “Protect Us.” It’s a fitting gift since her and I are in a sketch comedy thingamado called Rape Whistle Fan Club.
Things have been busy as usual and it’ll probably stay that way until eternity. I’m in the middle of organizing two work-related trips. One involves a roadtrip, the other, total seclusion. Looking forward to them both.
I wrote this for the Canadian Press. I’d like to hear your first-time pet experiences. Apparently, depression isn’t that uncommon for first time pet owners. Things with the Dutchmeister and I are moving along swimmingly…she’s without a doubt, my animal soul mate. She is everything I could have hoped for in a dog. Except she’s totally obsessed with me. We’re working on making her a little more open to other people. Tips?
Going to get ready for Dine Out Vancouver’s media preview. I’ve been starving myself all day so I’m hungry and excited. I hope I pace myself because I do tend to stuff my face with little caution…I’ve been looking forward to this all month.
April 18, 2010
Devon Clifford
There is an undeniable sadness in Vancouver today and that’s because a very special person has passed.
Devon Clifford, a local musician, passed away early this morning. I didn’t know him very well but he played in a band with one of my best friends for a few years. That’s a picture I took of him at her wedding in 2006.
Here’s what I do know of him…
1) He was one of them life lovers.
2) He had lots and lots of friends. One of those guys that everyone knows.
3) The ladies LOVED him.
4) He will be missed.
A lot of people around me are struggling to process this at the moment and it’s really frustrating to be so powerless to their pain. I guess I can now look forward to hearing stories all about who he was, and the beautiful legacy he’s left behind.
I’m putting my heart out there to those who love him.
